The Chiefs have agreed to a new four-year contract extension with quarterback Alex Smith worth $17 million a season, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Star on Sunday. The agreement, which includes $45 million in guaranteed money, is a significant development for the Chiefs, who no longer face losing Smith to free agency.

The Chiefs have agreed to a new four-year contract extension with quarterback Alex Smith worth $17 million a season, a person with knowledge of the situation Sunday told The Star on Sunday. The agreement, which includes $45 million in guaranteed money, is a significant development for the Chiefs, who no longer face losing Smith to free agency.
File photo by David EulittThe Kansas City Star

The Kansas City Chiefs agreed to a four-year contract extension with quarterback Alex Smith, the team announced Sunday.

The deal is worth $17 million a season, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Star.

The agreement, which includes $45 million in guaranteed money, is a significant development for the Chiefs, who no longer will be faced with the possibility of losing Smith — whom they dealt two second-round picks for a little more than a year ago — to free agency.

“It was a priority of ours to get this deal done and keep Alex in a Chiefs uniform long-term,” general manager John Dorsey said in a statement. “Alex is a proven leader on and off the field. He is a special individual with a lot of ability, and we are fortunate to have him here.”

Smith, 30, had one year left on a contract that was set to pay him $7.5 million this season. But thanks to the extension, which was negotiated by agent Tom Condon, Smith will receive $30 million up front in 2014.

The extension will expire after the 2018 season.

Had the two sides failed to reach an agreement before next offseason, the Chiefs could have retained his services by franchising him next offseason.

This, however, is no longer a concern. Smith is just the latest quarterback to reach a new deal, as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton agreed to a six-year extension with $25 million in guarantees, while San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick agreed to a six-year extension with $13 million in guarantees.

Smith’s deal puts him more in line with Detroit’s Matthew Stafford, who received nearly $42 million in guarantees in 2013, and Dallas’ Tony Romo, who received $55 milion in guarantees in 2013.

“John and his staff along with Tom and his group have worked hard to get this deal done,” coach Andy Reid said in a statement.

And now the Chiefs will retain a quarterback who threw for a career-best 3,313 yards and 23 touchdowns last season, his first in Kansas City.

The Chiefs’ first-team offense has not continued that continuity during the preseason, as it has failed to score a touchdown in 16 preseason possessions.

Smith, for his part, completed 31 of 51 passes (60.8 percent) for 286 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions in three exhibition games.

But his offensive line has been in a state of upheaval, thanks in large part to the recent four-game suspension of starting right tackle Donald Stephenson, and the unit is still trying to mesh after losing three starters to free agency.

According to Pro Football Focus, Smith was pressured on 37 percent of his snaps during the preseason, compared to 34 percent last season.

“That’s your job as a quarterback,” Smith said. “Sometimes they’re going to bring more than we’ve got and you’ve got to stand in there and make throws.”

It also didn’t help that star running back Jamaal Charles, who played such a significant role in the Chiefs’ success last season, missed much of the preseason with a foot injury.

Smith, however, isn’t making any excuses.

“The 11 guys that we have have to find a way to make a play work and then make a series work and to win a game, in that progression,” Smith said. “For me, (I have) to keep those guys energized to keep them going, staying positive looking forward.”

It may be a little easier for Smith to do that now with his contract situation out of the way.

The Chiefs — and particularly Reid, who has championed Smith since they acquired him — are clearly happy about that.

“Alex is a smart, talented football player that has adapted well to our offensive scheme,” Reid said. “He also, obviously, has had a tremendous amount of success as a quarterback in this league. We as a team are very happy to have Alex as our quarterback moving forward.”

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) smiled during warmups prior to NFL action against the Denver Broncos on November 17, 2013 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Co.
DAVID EULITTThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) completed a pass in the first quarter in NFL preseason action against the Minnesota Vikings on August 23, 2014 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
David EulittThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) motioned for adjustments with Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Zach Fulton (73) and Kansas City Chiefs guard Jeffrey Linkenbach (74) on the offensive line in NFL preseason action against the Minnesota Vikings on August 23, 2014 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
David EulittThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) slides after making a first down during the first half of the preseason NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 23, in Arrowhead Stadium.
ALLISON LONGThe Kansas City Star

The Chiefs have agreed to a new four-year contract extension with quarterback Alex Smith worth $17 million a season, a person with knowledge of the situation Sunday told The Star on Sunday. The agreement, which includes $45 million in guaranteed money, is a significant development for the Chiefs, who no longer face losing Smith to free agency.
File photo by David EulittThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) dove for a first down on a third-down scramble past Indianapolis Colts defensive end Cory Redding (90) in the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC Wild Card Game on January 4, 2014 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. The Colts won 45-44. David Eulitt/The Kansas City Star
DAVID EULITTThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) escapes from the Oakland Raiders defense in the second quarter during Sunday's football game on December 15, 2013 at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) looked to throw to Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) in the first quarter against the Washington Redskins in NFL action on December 8, 2013 at Fed Ex Field in Landover, Md. The Chiefs won 45-10. DAVID EULITT/The Kansas City Star.
DAVID EULITTThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) in the huddle in the first quarter during Sunday's football game against the Denver Broncos on December 1, 2013, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. John Sleezer/The Kansas City Star
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws under pressure in the third quarter during Sunday's football game against the San Diego Chargers on November 24, 2013, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) scrambled for a short gain in the fourth quarter through the Denver Broncos defense in NFL action on November 17, 2013 at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Co. The Broncos won 27-17, giving the Chiefs their first loss of the season.
DAVID EULITTThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) threw a six yard pass for a first down to wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82) in the second quarter in NFL action on November 3, 2103 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY. The Chiefs won 23-13.
DAVID EULITTThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) looked for an open receiver in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns in NFL action on October 27, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 23-17, improving to 8-0.
DAVID EULITTThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) gets the pass off despite the efforts of Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Paul Kruger (99) in the first quarter during Sunday's football game on October 27, 2013, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (82)celebrates with quarterback Alex Smith (11) after Smith's second quarter touchdown during Sunday's football game against the Houston Texans on October 20, 2013, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) ran into the end zone for a second quarter touchdown as wide receiver Dexter McCluster (22) blocked Houston Texans cornerback Brice McCain (21) in NFL action on October 20, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 17-16 to stay undefeated at 7-0.
DAVID EULITTThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws over Oakland Raiders free safety Usama Young (26) in the second quarter during Sunday's football game on October 13, 2013, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) scrambles for six yards in the first inning while being chased by New York Giants defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins (99) and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during Sunday's football game on September 29, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) meet after the Chiefs 31-7 win over the Giants during Sunday's football game on September 29, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) high fives fans as he leaves the field following the teams 31-7 win over the New York Giants during Sunday's football game on September 29, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) was tackled by a low block by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) in the first quarter in NFL action action on September 15, 2013 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 17-16.
David EulittThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) congratulated Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Junior Hemingway (88) on his touchdown reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL action at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, FL on September 8, 2013. The Chiefs won 28-2.
David EulittThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) throws over the defense in the first quarter during Friday's football game against the San Francisco 49ers on August 16, 2013, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) meet after Friday's football game on August 16, 2013, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The San Francisco 49ers won, 15-13.
JOHN SLEEZERThe Kansas City Star